An Act of God
Jan. 30-March 13. God takes the form of Emmy Award® winner Sean Hayes in the 90-minute comedy direct from Broadway where the Almighty and His devoted Angels answer some of the deepest questions that have plagued mankind since Creation. Ahmanson Theatre, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown, 213.628.2772. centertheatregroup.org
Bullets Over Broadway
Jan. 5-24. Written by Woody Allen, this 1920s-set musical comedy is based on Allen’s 1984 film of the same name and follows the making of a Broadway show. Pantages Theatre, 6233 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, 323.468.1770. hollywoodpantages.com
1984
Opening Jan. 8. This new adaptation of George Orwell’s groundbreaking novel finds London’s Headlong theater company bringing the dystopian reality of Big Brother to life with a startlingly visceral experience. The staging marks the company’s U.S. debut. The Broad Stage, 1310 11th St., Santa Monica, 310.434.3200. thebroadstage.com
Thom Pain (based on nothing)
Opening Jan. 8. The Office’s Rainn Wilson is the star of this acclaimed one-man play, written by Will Eno. As the tragic yet hilarious Thom, Wilson delivers a poignant monologue consisting of various ruminations on life. Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater, Geffen Playhouse, 10886 Le Conte Ave., Westwood, 310.208.5454. geffenplayhouse.com
Mamma Mia!
Jan. 26-31. The smash-hit musical based on the songs of Abba comes to Hollywood for a limited one-week engagement. Pantages Theatre, 6233 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, 323.468.1770. hollywoodpantages.com
Fly
Jan. 26-Feb. 21. Fly tells the story of the first African-American Army Air Corp fighters known as the Tuskegee Airmen who flew over the skies of Europe and North Africa during World War II. Pasadena Playhouse, 39 S. El Molino Ave., Pasadena, 626.356.7529. pasadenaplayhouse.org
Kid Koala’s Nufonia Must Fall
Jan. 29. DJ Kid Koala’s graphic novel Nufonia Must Fall—a robot’s love story—comes to life at UCLA’s Royce Hall. Directed by K.K. Barrett, recently Oscar-nominated for Spike Jonze’s Her, this live adaptation of the graphic novel unfolds via the real-time filming of more than a dozen intricately-crafted miniature stage settings in which a cast of puppets interact. 8 p.m. UCLA, 405 Hilgard Ave., Westwood, 310.825.2101. cap.ucla.edu
The Christians
Through Jan. 10. On the anniversary of the megachurch he founded, Pastor Paul feels called to deliver a new message, though he knows it will shake the foundation of everything he has built. Mark Taper Forum, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown. centertheatregroup.org
The Bridges of Madison County
Through Jan 17. See the new production of the Tony-winning Broadway rendition of Robert James Waller’s best-selling romantic novel. Bridges tells the story of a married Italian woman in the Midwest who has an affair with a National Geographic photographer. Tony winner for original score and orchestrations Jason Robert Brown will conduct the L.A. presentation. Ahmanson Theatre, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown, 213.628.2772. centertheatregroup.org